KENORA – POLITICS 2.0 – Bob Nault, the Liberal candidate running in the Kenora riding has issued a statement following the announcement by Ontario Premier Doug Ford in Kenora on Wednesday:
“As the Member of Parliament for the Kenora riding, I have helped deliver significant investments in local infrastructure projects. In the Kenora riding alone, the federal government has invested over two billion dollars in infrastructure and community investments since 2015. This is unprecedented.
“Now, in contrast, Doug Ford has been hiding from Ontarians for months, finally breaking his vow of electoral silence, five days from Election Day to try and help the local Conservative candidate.
“This is surprising, given that Doug Ford has followed Andrew Scheer’s order to be quiet so obediently. Why? Because Andrew Scheer and Doug Ford agree that what Doug Ford is doing to Ontario is a preview of what Scheer’s cuts will do to Canada. In fact, Andrew Scheer won’t even mention Doug Ford’s name in Ontario, let alone be seen with him. I guess the strategy is, out of sight, out of mind for voters, but it won’t work for Northerners.
“The fact of the matter is that Doug Ford made a funding announcement today for projects he has yet to submit to the federal government. If he’s going to start making announcements on projects he has yet to submit, why didn’t he and MPP Greg Rickford make an announcement on more pressing infrastructure projects for our region? Why hasn’t he made the twinning of Highway 17 a priority to get federal funding so that we could twin even more of Hwy 17 from Manitoba to Kenora to Dryden and beyond.? Why hasn’t Doug Ford delivered on the 76 new long-term care beds in Sioux Lookout that seniors and their families so desperately need? And finally, why hasn’t Mr. Ford announced funding for the new All Nations Hospital in Kenora?
“Lot of questions, no answers, except it’s pure Doug Ford politics.
“When Premier Ford was elected, he said that his first priority was to get the Federal Liberals defeated. Frankly speaking, Mr. Ford’s first priority is to the people of Ontario, and because he mixed up what his priorities must be as Premier, Ontarians have suffered and so have Northerners.
“As a result of playing political games, projects such as these, that should have already been started in communities across the riding, won’t be started because of Doug Ford’s government stall tactics.
“I do welcome the Premier’s announcement today as these are much-needed projects in the region, and they are projects that I will be happy to work with the province on when I am re-elected next week.
“It takes experience to set aside politics and work for Northerners. Doug Ford has shown his lack of experience, and as a result, residents in communities throughout the riding have suffered.”
